Celanese Corp

Celanese Corp & Asbestos Exposure

Founded in 1918 as the American Cellulose & Chemical Manufacturing Company by brothers Camille and Henri Dreyfus, the Celanese Corporation initially focused on producing cellulose acetate for airplanes manufactured during World War I.

Celanese expanded after the war, diversifying its products and services through acquisitions. Throughout this time, it used asbestos in its chemical and industrial plants, particularly its polyester fiber manufacturing operations. 

Many chemical and industrial manufacturers, like Celanese Corporation, used asbestos for fireproofing and chemical resistance. However, doing so exposed thousands of workers to a highly hazardous and cancer-causing material.

Celanese Corp was aware of these risks as early as 1964 when the company’s medical director attended a landmark conference on the dangers of asbestos. By ignoring its knowledge of the risks and choosing profits over human health, Celanese Corp made itself liable for asbestos lawsuits.  

Dangers of Asbestos-Related Diseases

There are six varieties of asbestos, identifiable by their similar structure, properties, and risks. All varieties are durable, nonconductive, and resistant to heat, fire, and chemicals. 

These properties made asbestos extremely valuable to companies like Celanese Corporation, which valued cheap, fireproofing materials with chemical corrosion resistance over workers’ health.

Unfortunately, when asbestos is mined, manufactured, installed, repaired, removed, or disturbed in any way, it sheds thin, microscopic particles that can remain airborne for hours in poorly ventilated areas. Workers who inhale or ingest these particles often suffer internal scarring, irritation, and DNA changes that lead to serious illnesses decades later.

One of the most serious asbestos-related illnesses is mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer found in the thin lining surrounding certain organs. Mesothelioma treatment is expensive, costing patients an average of $400,000 out of pocket annually.

Asbestos-related illnesses include:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Asbestosis
• Pleural thickening
• Pleural plaques
• Pleural effusions
• Other forms of cancer

Financial Compensation From Celanese Corp 

Celanese Corporation has not declared bankruptcy and has never established an asbestos trust fund to compensate the victims of its historical asbestos use. Instead, the company chooses to handle asbestos cases in court or through settlements.

There are two primary types of asbestos personal injury lawsuits:

• Personal injury lawsuit: Allows living victims of asbestos exposure to seek compensation for their losses.
• Wrongful death lawsuit: Allows the dependents or family members of deceased asbestos exposure victims to recover damages for the loss of their loved one.

Many asbestos-exposed individuals are eligible for compensation from more than one asbestos company due to the complexities of asbestos supply chains. For example, a claimant against Celanese Corporation might also be able to seek compensation from the manufacturer of the asbestos-containing boilers used in Celanese’s facilities. 

An experienced asbestos attorney can help victims identify and pursue compensation from all companies responsible for their injuries. Lawsuits hold negligent manufacturers accountable while helping victims receive the maximum compensation they are due. 

Your lawyer may also be able to connect with other forms of financial assistance, such as:

• Benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Asbestos trust funds
• Workers’ compensation
• Treatment grants

Asbestos Lawsuits Against Celanese Corp 

Celanese Corporation and its expert legal team have worked hard to keep publicity surrounding asbestos cases against it to a minimum. Many cases are not reported on in detail or have ended with an out-of-court settlement that includes an NDA, preventing accurate reporting of results. However, some cases have reached the courts and gained public recognition.

Dennis Seay

Dennis Seay was exposed to asbestos at Celanese’s polyester fiber plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, from 1971 to 1979. During this time, he was an employee of Daniel Construction Co., which Celanese had hired to perform maintenance and repair work.

After Mr. Seay died of mesothelioma in 2014, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Celanese and John Crane, another asbestos company. The core of the suit was the allegation that both defendants were aware of the hazards posed to workers by asbestos products, yet they failed to provide adequate warnings.

The Seay family provided compelling evidence, including the Celanese medical director’s attendance at a 1964 conference on the dangers of asbestos. The family won their case and was awarded $14 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Celanese Corp attempted to appeal, but the court upheld the verdict.

Asbestos-Containing Products Used at Celanese Corp

Although Celanese Corp did not manufacture asbestos products, it used asbestos in its facilities, particularly its chemical and polyester fiber plants. Much of the asbestos in Celanese Corp facilities was in construction materials and its production machinery. 

Asbestos-containing products commonly found in chemical and industrial plants include:

• Adhesives
• Boilers
• Ceiling/floor tiles
• Cement/cement sheets
• Construction materials
• Countertops
• Fireproof protective clothing
• Furnaces
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Ovens
• Packing
• Paint 
• Pumps
• Sealants
• Valves

Occupations At-Risk

Celanese Corp’s widespread use of asbestos throughout its industrial and chemical plants exposed people in a wide variety of professions. Some of these individuals may have worked for Celanese Corp, while others may have been contractors.

While those who suffered from occupational exposure generally face the highest risks, the family members and loved ones of asbestos workers weren’t safe either. Many people have become sick from secondary asbestos exposure, which often occurs through casual contact with asbestos fibers when doing chores like laundry. 

High-risk occupations include:

• Boiler technicians/tenders
• Chemists/chemical engineers
• Chemical plant workers
• Construction/demolition workers
• Factory workers
• Insulators
• Machine operators
• Maintenance workers
• Pipefitters
• Welders

Get Help Today 

Companies like Celanese may not have manufactured asbestos products, but they used them in their facilities, exposing thousands of workers to elevated risks of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses. These diagnoses can be devastating, leading to physical pain, emotional suffering, and financial instability.

Fortunately, these workers and their families don’t have to bear the burdens of a diagnosis alone. Legal compensation from companies like Celanese is possible with the help of an experienced asbestos law firm. 

Meirowitz & Wasserberg is a boutique law firm specializing in helping asbestos exposure victims and their families obtain compensation and justice. Their experienced team has the resources, expertise, and determination to help their clients navigate the complexities of asbestos law, providing critical support at every step.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to Celanese or another asbestos company, don’t wait to get help. Reach out now for a free consultation to confirm your eligibility and learn more about your potential case value.

Written & Legally Reviewed By

Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Daniel Wasserberg was a New York metropolitan area “Super Lawyer Rising Star” from 2013 to 2018 (attorneys under age 40), and a Super Lawyer in 2019. In 2017, Daniel was named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers organization. This recognition is rarely awarded to attorneys under the age of 40. Daniel is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer, and is often asked to speak at gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar.

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